Operation Varsity consisted of utilizing the U.S.
17th Airborne Division and the British 6th Airborne Division in a combined parachute, glider
attack in order to seize and hold a wooded area which overlooked the part of the Rhine River
where the main assault would take place, therefore denying the enemy artillery spotters the
use of the area.

The forces would also prevent enemy reinforcements from reaching the
river from the east of Wesel. The 5th Parachute Brigade, an element of the 6th British
Airborne Division was designated to drop to the northwest of Hamminkeln, and the 3rd
Parachute Brigade would be dropped in the north-west corner of the Piersfordter
Wald.

The plan called for the Allied artillery to bombard the whole landing zone
prior to the airborne landing. This was aimed at denying enemy armour and heavy guns a
chance to isolate and decimate the airborne force as it tried to land. Operation Varsity
involved 10,000
reconnaissance, bomber, fighter, parachute, tug aircraft, and gliders all converging in
one area at one time. Prior to giving his Operation Order, Brigadier Hill had this to say:

"Speed and initiative is the order of the day. Risks will be taken. The
enemy will be attacked and destroyed whenever he is found."

The Airborne attack began on March 24, 1945, as C-47 transports carried the 1st
Canadian Parachute Battalion into an already busy battle zone. The drop took over three
hours to complete; and the battle continued until about noon, by which time Battalion
positions had gradually been consolidated and the enemy pushed back. It was on this day
that Corporal F.G."Toppy" Topham, a medical orderly, who even though wounded,
repeatedly went into exposed areas, to give aid to injured comrades. His bravery was later
recognized with the award of the Victoria Cross.

Lt. Col Nicklin, the Commander of the First Canadian Parachute Battalion was
also killed on this day as he landed in a small clump of trees, directly above a German
machine gun crew. The Colonel's unfortunate death was felt throughout the unit and by
everyone in the Brigade including Brigadier Hill. Command was assumed by Major G.F. Eadie,
who was later promoted and continued in command for the duration of the war.